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Israel 66: A Festive Community Birthday Celebration

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Members of Tribal Clefs A Capella, a singing group of Jewish young adults in their 20s and 30s, sang
the American and Israeli ­national anthems.

Great weather, phenomenal music, fabulous shopping options and a host of engaging children’s activities made for a festive celebration of Israel Independence Day. Some 5,000 members of the Greater Philadelphia community turned out May 18 to wish Israel well on her 66th birthday.

The Mummers’ Avalon String Band kicked off the giant party, which featured music by Tribal Clefs, a new and talented Jewish a cappella group, Israeli singer and songwriter David Broza, Ayala Inge­deshet, the first Ethiopian-born Israeli singer with a major-label record deal, and the Maleveh Malka Band from Germantown Jewish Centre.

There was falafel and other festive foods to sate appetites, GaGa and other activities to entertain kids and a wonderful mitzvah project to help bring warmth and comfort to area older adults. Four artists traveled all the way from Israel to showcase their unique creations and 40 communal organizations showcased the many programs and services that make the Greater Philadelphia Jewish community a wonderful place to live and work.

Israel 66 was a spirited kick-off to the PECO Multicultural Series of free, outdoor festivals produced by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.